Customers

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) has been conducting a survey of the crane operators in several southern states since May 2009. Our survey has clearly shown that Gulfstream Crane, LLC, also known as General Crane USA, does not meet area standards for wages and benefits. Total compensation for General Crane operators, which includes wage, health, and retirement benefits, is as much as $10-12 per hour less than the area standard.

General Crane, along with several other crane rental companies featured on CraneWatchdog.com, lead a “race to the bottom” in which they try to squeeze the lowest possible bid, and in the process undercut the living standards of the entire community.

The general contractors, concrete companies, and other customers of General Crane also feed on this race to the bottom. Their pressure to cut costs – regardless of quality, safety, or the treatment of workers – enables and in fact encourages crane rental companies to undercut wage and benefit standards. Hiring companies like General Crane puts additional pressure on companies that do meet area standards.

The IUOE requests that General Crane USA customers urge the company to meet area standards for wages and benefits, and discontinue doing business with General Crane until they meet those standards. The IUOE is not seeking to represent the employees of General Crane USA. It is simply trying to persuade the company to meet, and not undercut, area standards.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------